Alupa dynasty - Ancient kingdoms of coastal region Karnataka
Alupa dynasty Alupa was one of the most ancient kingdoms of Karnataka holding sway over many parts of the coastal region in the state. The dynasty stretches far behind the period suggested by available details about the monarchs.
It is quite possible
that Alupas migrated to the coastal region of Mangalore as early as 300 BC
and took control of the coastal land stretching from Southern
Kasaragod till modern Udupi with Mangalore as the epicenter. Their rule
extended unabatedly for almost 15 centuries starting from the beginning of the
Christian era right up to the end of the fifteenth century. They held sway over
Tuluva Nadu (South Canara) Haiva Nadu (North Canara) Konkan and
the Western Ghats as also the northern part of Kerala at various points of time. This dynasty and its kings are referred
to in the writings of Ptolemy the Greek geographer (Olaikhaura) Halmidi Inscription
of the fifth-century Guddnapura inscription of Kadamba Ravivarma and the
Chalukya inscriptions of Mangaleesha and Pulikeshi-2 found respectively at
Mahakuta and Aihole. (610-642 A.D.) It was possibly known as Alvakeda 6000 and
Udayavara (Udyavara) was its capital. Their royal emblem was the double-crested fish.
This dynasty is divided into two broad
divisions namely ancient Alupas (up to the middle of the tenth century and medieval
Alupas. (Up to the end of fifteenth century) Aluvarasa is the first Alupa king
about whom inscriptional evidence is available. (650-663 A.D.) The important
monarchs who succeeded him are Chitravahana-1, Aluvarasa 2, Chitravahana-2,
Ranasagara, Pruthveesagara, (Aluvarasa-3) Maramma, (Aluvarasa-4) Vimaladitya
and Dattalupa. The rule of Aluvarasa-1 and Chitravahana-1 was the golden period
of Aluva dynasty and they controlled Mangalapura, (Mangalore)
Pombucha,(Humacha) and Kadamaba Mandala and they were responsible
for stalling the Pandyas of Madurai at Mangalapura. (Mangalore) However
historical evidence about all these happenings is scant.
The period of medieval Alupas is better
documented and it extends from Kundavarma (950 – 980 A.D.) up to Kulashekhara-3
and Veerapandya-2 (1390-1400 A.D.) Their rule was essentially confined to Tulu
Nadu and Mangalapura and Barahakanyapura (Barakur) were their capitals.
Bhujabala Alupendra, (Kavi Alupendra) Kulashekhara-1, (Jakaladevi’s husband)
Balla Mahadevi, Veera Pandya, and Kulashekhara-2 were the more prominent ones
among these kings. They could retain their power even though they were in
constant strife with Cholas and Hoysalas. They were subservient to the
Vijayanagara dynasty and later they lost their identity to the all-powerful
empire.
Mogaveeras, Billavas, Nadavas, Jains, Brahmins
and Konkanis were the major communities that were present during the rule of
Alupas.
Inscriptions, Art, and Architecture: Naturally the Alupa dynasty laid the
foundations for the cultural variety of coastal Karnataka.
The inscriptions found during this period are
short ones written in Old Kannada or Sanskrit language using old Kannada
script. Usually, they are not dated and a comparative study reveals that the
script was relatively stable. Their shortness prevents them from providing any
assistance in reconstructing the political and social history of Tulu Nadu.
Belmannu copper inscription that belongs to the
former half of the eighth century happens to be the earliest copper inscription
found in Karnataka. This full-length Kannada copper plate in Old Kannada
script (early eighth century CE) belongs to the Alupa King Aluvarasa II from
Belmannu, Karkala Taluk, Udupi District and displays the double-crested fish,
the royal emblem of Alupa kings. The inscription found at Vaddarse village in
Udupi taluk is the first full-length stone inscription of Alupa dynasty. (7th century)
Out of approximately 200 inscriptions inscribed during this period, some are yet
to be deciphered. Some usages are taken from the contemporary dialects and a
detailed study may reveal useful information about the early stages of the Kannada
language.
Alupas have issued gold coins and circular
copper coins minted at Udupi and Mangalore. They have the royal emblem of
double fish on one side and the wordings “Sri Pandya Dhananjaya’ on the obverse
side. The script on the coins was either old Kannada or Devanagari.
The architectural styles of the temples in these
regions are usually derived from the Badami Chalukya and Kalyani Chalukya
styles. However, as a consequence of long and sustained contact, one
can find traces of Pallava and Chola architecture. Consequently, there is not
much that could be ascribed to a separate Alupa style. The important temples
that were built during different stages are as follows.
1. Markandeshvara Temple, Barakur, 8th Century
2. Mahalingeshvara Temple, Brahmavara, 9th Century
3. Seneshvara Temple, Baindur
4. Sri Rajarajeshvari Temple, Polali
(poLali)
5. Sri Manjunatheshvara Temple, Kadri
6. Mahishamardini Temple, Neelavara (Durga
Bhagavathi)
7. Sri Panchalingeashvara Temple, Vittla
8. Anantheshvara Temple, Udupi
The temple architecture and the idols have
definite associations with a combination of styles and they are made of black
granite, slate stone, and light red stones.
Thus Alupas constitute one of the most ancient
dynasties of Karnataka and they played a major role in the political evolution
of coastal Karnataka.
Coinage:
The Alupas were one of the three dynasties that issued gold coins as early as 8th century CE. The gold that used to mint coins came from trade with the Romans, Arabs and from the adjacent kingdom of Gangas. No other ancient dynasties of the south have issued that many varieties of gold coins as Alupas and Gangas did.
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